Having dropped “Sound System” from the name, the U.K.-based worldbeat group now fancies itself more of a band than a collective. Still, the core remains producer Simon Emmerson and several English and Irish cohorts, supplemented by an African kora player and a percussionist. And the group, which has relied on past guests like Robert Plant and Sinead O’Connor to boost its profile, this time features experimental bassist Jah Wobble and Canadian flamenco guitarist Jesse Cook to stretch its acoustic, globetrotting sound.

A modern-day Billie Holiday, Peyroux has a beguiling voice: fragile on the surface with a dark undercurrent below. Here, the Georgia-born, Paris-raised singer tackles songs well suited to her bittersweet...

The simple title suggests a dry introduction to the Spanish style known for its virtuosity. But there’s nothing perfunctory about Miguel’s second album. From its tastefully designed DigiPack cover to...